Author

Michael is a biology graduate of the UMaine system. He likes to spend his free time hiking and defending science, though not usually at the same time. Contrary to popular (but not scientific) belief, the positive and appropriate perception of science is undermined by religion, alternative medicine, the U.S. education system, and most science journalists.

More than 96% of working climatologists say the global mean temperatures are rising, but only 34% of the public believes “Most scientists think global warming is happening.”

How did we let this happen?

Before you answer, note that the public poll, published today by a Yale University group, also found that 47% say global warming is “caused mostly by human activities.” But only a third of them say scientists even believe the planet is warming. So there’s a bunch of Americans out who believe the science of anthropogenic global warming even though they don’t think scientists share their view.